Sexual autonomy is the ability to choose when, how, with whom, and why one experiences physical pleasure. It includes deciding whether to have casual encounters, monogamous relationships, open relationships, kinky play, or solo practices. Autonomy can involve sexual orientation, gender identity, or romantic preferences. Partners may agree or disagree on these choices but both must respect each other's boundaries.
Double standards refer to societal expectations for different groups based on their identities.
Women are expected to be more chaste than men; LGBTQ+ people face discrimination; married couples are pressured to stay together. Double standards affect partners' perceptions of autonomy because they create internal conflicts.
If a man pursues multiple sexual partners, he might seem promiscuous or immature, while a woman who does so could be perceived as a slut or gold digger. This causes unequal power dynamics wherein men feel entitled to sex and women fear rejection. Men who identify as heterosexual may feel pressure to conform to traditional masculinity norms like having lots of sex. Women who do not fit into traditional feminine roles may face prejudice.
LGBTQ+ individuals experience unique challenges such as homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and queerphobia that limit their options. They may struggle to find partners due to stigmatization or lack of representation in mainstream media. Some parents raise their children in religious or conservative households that shame them for being LGBTQ+.
Asian-American partners may face racist stereotypes about submissiveness or hypersexuality. Black partners may face colorism and fetishization. Latinx partners may face anti-immigrant sentiment and cultural prejudices. Middle Eastern partners may face Islamophobia and misogyny. All these factors contribute to social barriers that impede free expression and autonomy.
Couples can work through double standards by exploring each other's boundaries, respecting differences, communicating openly, negotiating compromises, seeking counseling/therapy, and establishing healthy relationship routines. These steps help build trust, empathy, and mutual understanding. Partners should avoid judging each other's choices but instead focus on mutual care, support, and growth.
How do societal double standards influence partners' perceptions of sexual expression and autonomy?
In recent years, researchers have investigated how societal gender norms impact individuals' attitudes toward sexuality. Studies suggest that cultural expectations of women as sexually pure and men as sexually aggressive can lead to unfairly judging opposite-sex partners based on their sex drive and desires. These findings indicate that society's double standard regarding gender roles and sexuality may be perpetuating unequal treatment of both men and women in romantic relationships.